Mount Rwenzori

In 1994, UNESCO declared the Rwenzori Mountains a World Heritage Site because of its natural beauty, rare plants, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers and mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains were named by famous European explorer Henry Stanley and he derived the name from a local term that means Rain Maker or Cloud King. Initially, however, the mountains had been termed Mountains of the Moon by Alexandrine geographer Claudius Ptolemy in AD 150.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to over 70 mammals species that include the black and white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, buffaloes, bushbuck, chimpanzees, golden cats, giant forest hogs, red duiker, forest elephants, rock hyrax, Rwenzori Colobus, Rwenzori otters, the Rwenzori climbing mouse, Sitatunga, servalline genet, Mongoose, Leopards, Uganda clawed frog and L’Hoest’s monkeys. In addition to this, the park also houses 217 birds and 15 butterfly species. The main animal attraction in the park is the three-horned chameleon.

Similar to Mountain Elgon National Park, the main feature or activity of attraction is mountain climbing. The park houses the highest parts of the 120km long and 65km wide Rwenzori Mountain ranges that reach an altitude of 5,109m. Inexperienced hikers may find reaching Margherita peak difficult but shorter and less strenuous hikes can be arranged around the mountain without going all the way up to the snow-capped peaks. 

Other activities that tourists can take part in include forest and nature walks to see the rare montane vegetation, bird watching to spot rare bird species like the African Long Eared Owl, and interactions with the local Bakonzo tribe to learn more about their lifestyle and culture.